Cotton-chopper



(No Model.)

D. A. YARBROUGH.

COTTON SHOPPER.

No. 591,715. Patented Oct. 12,1897.

W a/Z1 hill] 1'' I A jiewzz'zaz' l arzrow 212' UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

DAVID A. YARBROUGH, OF PETTEY, ALABAMA.

COTTON-CHOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,715, dated October 12, 1897.

Application filed July 3, 1897. Serial No. 643,373. (No model.) 7

cient, and easily-operated machine adapted for blocking out, thinning, or chopping out the young plants by drawing the machine across a field at right angles to the rows of plants.

The invention consistsin features of construction and novel combinations of parts in a cotton-cultivating machine, as hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a cotton-chopping machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine. Fig. 3 is a detail view of an adjustable device for supporting the choppers or hoes at any required elevation or so as to work at any desired depth.

The machine comprises two runners, designated by the reference-numeral 1, that may be drawn readily over the cotton-bed, pushing aside clods and stones without much friction. These runners are connected bya front cross-bar 2 and a rear cross-bar 3, which may be of any suitable length, according to the required width of the machine. The length and breadth of the machine should be such as will impart stability without making the machine-frame unwieldy.

To the front cross-bar 2 are attached any suitable draft devices 4, and a drivers seat 5 may be supported from this bar. In each forward corner of the machine-frame there may be arranged diagonal braces 6, secured to the runners and front cross-bar, as shown.

On the tops of the runners are journalboxes 7 for the ends of arock-shaft 8, that is arranged transversely at about midway the length of the machine-frame. To this rockshaft 8 are secured two plow-beams 9 at a suitable distance apart. At their lower and forwardly-curved ends these plow-beams 9 are connected by two parallel transverselyarranged bars 10, which are set somewhat obliquely to the ground by reason of the curvature given to the rear ends of the plow-beams. Between these two bars 10 is secured a series of hoes or cotton-choppers 11, placed at convenient intervals apart and detachably secured to the said bars by means of bolts 12 and nuts 13, which may also secure the bars 10 to the plow-beams. In the bars 10 and hoe-blades 11 there are provided suitable holes for passage of the bolts.

To the rock-shaft 8 there are secured a pair of rearward and upward extended handles 14, and to the hoe-carrying bars are secured standards 15, the upper ends of which are bolted to said handles. The handles 14 are connected also with the plow-beams 9 by means of braces 16, asshown.

' To the central portion of the rear cross-bar 3 there is secured an upright 17, in which is formed a vertically-elongated slot 18 to receive a bolt 19, that is passed through said slot from one side of the upright 17 to the other side for the purpose of attaching a vertically-adjustable bracket 20, the upper end of which is formed witha seat 21 to support the cross-bar 22 ofthe handles 14, and thereby hold the hoes or chopper-blades 11 at any required elevation according to the adjustment given to the bracket 20, which adjustment can be quickly changed by first loosening a nut 23 on the bolt 19 that secures the said bracket. 'The upper part of the upright 17 is provided with a handle 24, by means of which the rear end of the machine-frame can be lifted in turning the machine at the end of a any suitable intervals convenient for block-.

ing out, as when the plants are to be only IOO partly thinned, or the choppers can be arranged closer together in chopping out to a stand.

With a machine of suitable dimensions and construction as described from ten to twelve acres per day can be readily'chopped out by the work of one man and a horse. A wider machine can be used with two draft-animals, so that an increased quantity of work can be accomplished.

To avoid injury by frost and inclement .weather, it is customary to at first thin out shafts or any means for attachment of a singletree or doubletree, according to circumstances.

By means of the vertically adjustable bracket 20 the hoes or chopper-blades 11 can be set lower or raised higher in the soil to suit varying conditions, or by the same means they can be supported entirely out of the ground when passing from one field to another.

Among other advantages presented by this cultivating-machine it may be said that it can be conveniently used for chopping out sorghum as well as cotton and other crops. The location of the drivers seat and the absence of projecting mechanism that would obstruct his view enables him to readily avoid obstacles in the path of the machine, and by means of the adjacent hand-lever 26 he can readily raise the chopper-blades at any time or for any purpose without leaving his seat. The chopper-blades are so arranged that they will not become entangled with obstructions, and in case of breakage they can be quickly and cheaply replaced.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the runners, the front cross-bar and rear rear cross-bars, plow beams and handles -se-.

cured to said rock shaft, transverselyarranged bars secured to the downward and forwardly curved rear ends of said plow-beams,

chopper-blades detachably secured at intervals to and between said bars, standards connecting said bars with the plow-handles and braces connecting said handles with the plowbeams, and a vertically-adjustable bracket supported on the rear cross-bar and having a seat for the cross-bar of the plow-handles to support the choppers at any required elevation, substantially as described.

2. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the runners, the front and rear cross-bars, the transversely-arranged rock-shaft, the plowbeams and the handles secured to said rockshaft, the handle cross-bar, transversely-arrangedbars secured to the downward and forwardly curved rear ends of the plow-beams, the chopper-blades detachably secured to and between the said bars, an upright on the rear cross-bar, and a bracket vertically adj ustable in a slot of said upright and provided at the top with a seat for the cross-bar of the handles, to support the choppers at any required elevation, substantially as described.

3. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the runners connected by a front cross-bar and a rear cross-bar, the transversely-arranged rock-shaft, the plow beams and handles secured to said rock-shaft, transverselyarranged bars secured to the rear ends of the plow-beams, a series of chopper-blades detachably secured to said bars, a verticallyadjustable bracket secured on therear crossbar and provided with a seat to support the plow-handles and hold the chopper-blades at any required elevation, a lever fulcrumed to a standard on the rear cross-bar and extended to the drivers seat, and a rod connecting said lever with one of the plow-beams, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID A. YARBROUGH.

Witnesses:

-LUKE P. MOORE,

BEN M. SMITH. 

